Soil Nitrogen Measurement via Unfertilized Crop Uptake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining soil nitrogen availability are unreliable and inconsistent due to soil variability and microbial activity, leading to inefficient fertilizer use and environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for determining soil nitrogen availability by establishing a measurement region within an agricultural field, avoiding fertilization, and measuring nitrogen uptake to calculate accurate fertilizer recommendations based on crop data and remote imagery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If soil chemical analysis is used to measure soil nitrogen availability, then measurement can be performed, but it requires sending samples to a lab which causes delays and loses time for timely fertilizer application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes measurement regions early in the growing season before fertilizer applications occur. By pre-designating these regions and monitoring them throughout the season, the system obtains soil nitrogen availability data without requiring late-season sampling and lab analysis, thus avoiding delays in fertilizer application decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses crop nitrogen uptake in measurement regions as an intermediary indicator to infer soil nitrogen availability. Instead of directly measuring soil nitrogen through chemical analysis, the system measures crop nitrogen uptake (via remote sensing or other means) in unfertilized measurement regions, which serves as a proxy for soil nitrogen supply, enabling rapid assessment without lab delays
2Ease of operation
If soil sensors are used to measure soil nitrogen availability, then on-site measurement is possible, but the results are inconsistent due to soil granularity and variability in soil composition and microbial activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the agricultural field into multiple measurement regions distributed across different locations. By taking measurements across multiple segmented regions rather than a single point, the system captures soil variability and obtains more reliable, representative data that accounts for spatial heterogeneity in soil composition and microbial activity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of measurement regions throughout the field, each serving as a replicate measurement unit. This approach allows the system to capture soil variability by comparing results across multiple copies, thereby improving measurement reliability while maintaining on-site operation
3Productivity
If fertilizer is applied to increase crop yield, then productivity is improved, but excess fertilizer runs off and pollutes water sources causing environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring crop nitrogen uptake in measurement regions throughout the growing season. This real-time feedback on soil nitrogen availability and crop nitrogen status enables dynamic adjustment of fertilizer application rates, ensuring that fertilizer is applied only when and where needed, thus preventing runoff pollution while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of fertilizer application rate from a fixed blanket application to a variable rate based on measured soil nitrogen availability and crop nitrogen uptake. By adjusting the fertilizer application parameter dynamically according to actual field conditions, the system optimizes productivity while minimizing excess fertilizer that could cause pollution
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and system for determining a soil nitrogen availability and a fertilizer demand for a crop, comprising determining a measurement region (300) within the agricultural field prior to a fertilizer application, wherein the measurement region (300) receives no fertilizer, wherein later the nitrogen uptake of the crop is measured, providing a soil nitrogen availability. Further embodiments for the recommendation and application of fertilizer is envisaged.